EuroParlRadio

Interview: - Brian Hayes Criticises Motor Insurance Directive

Intro

Plans to require owners of segways, golf buggies and electric bikes to have motor insurance have been sharply criticised by Fine Gael MEP for Dublin Brian Hayes.

The Motor Insurance Directive, announced by the European Commission aims to harmonise insurance laws for vehicles and cars across the European Union.

The European Parliament and European Council have yet to approve the new proposals.

Speaking to Irish Journalist, Eamonn Torsney, Dublin Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes says the plans are unlikely to get the backing of MEPs.

Out words: bikes especially

Interview - European Parliament Considers New Safety Features for Cars to Improve Road Safety

A raft of new road safety measures are being considered by the European Parliament 

The aim is to ensure new cars across the EU employ new technology, in a bid to reduce road fatalities. 

Devices to alert a motorist they are crossing lanes and systems that warn drivers there are cyclists and pedestrians close by, are among the measures being considered. 

The European Commission is aiming to have the new safety features in all new cars form 2030.

Speaking to Irish Journalist, Eamonn Torsney, Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South Deirdre Clune discusses the proposals 

 

Out Words: Road Accidents

 

Interview: Hayes on Political Instability in Italy and Worrying Times for Eurozone

Intro:

Dublin Fine Gael MEP, Brian Hayes, believes there are a number of reasons why developments in Italy are worrying for the eurozone.

A caretaker Prime Minister, Carlo Cottarelli, has been appointed, after attempts to form a coalition government failed.

Italy is the third largest economy in the Eurozone and there have been questions over whether the country could leave the Euro.

President Sergio Mattarella vetoed the appointment of a eurosceptic Finance Minister before appointing the interim Prime Minister.

Speaking to Irish Journalist, Eamonn Torsney, Dublin Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes outlines his concerns about Italy's political future:

Out Words: have that 

 

European Parliament Should Negotiate Tougher Single-use Plastics Ban - Boylan

Intro script:  

 
An Irish MEP is vowing to push for a broader list of items to be included in an EU initiative to ban single-use plastics. 

The European Parliament will now submit amendments to Commision proposals and negotiate over the plans. 

A number of items face an outright ban, such as cotton bud sticks, disposable cutlery and balloon sticks. 

For products that do not have an environmentally friendly alternative, the EU will look for a national plan to reduce their usage and change their design and labelling requirements. 

There is also a target that all plastic bottles will be collected for recycling by 2025. 

Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan, wants the Parliament to take a strong approach to negotiations: 

Out Words: a list 

 

 

Europe Wide Database to Combat Car 'Clocking' Proposed

Intro:

Plans for a European wide database to combat 'clocking' of cars are being welcomed. 

MEPs will debate proposals to deal with the problem across the EU. 

There has been an increase in the number of second hand imported cars into Ireland in recent years. 

However, it is not possible to check if the mileage on the car has been tampered with. 

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South, Deirdre Clune says the EU is looking at a cross-border approach: 

Worrying Times for the Eurozone - Hayes

Intro script:  

Concern is being expressed over the impact political instability in Italy could have on the eurozone. 

A caretaker Prime Minister, Carlo Cottarelli, was appointed after attempts to form a coalition government failed. 

Fresh elections could be held in Italy in the Autumn. 

Dublin Fine Gael MEP, Brian Hayes, believes there are a number of reasons why developments in Italy are worrying for the eurozone: 
 

Out words:  the eurozone 

European Parliament Considers New Measures for Cars to Improve Road Safety Across the EU

Intro:

 
The European Parliament is examining a raft of new measures to improve road safety. 

Proposals are being considered that would see new technology used in new cars across the EU, that would reduce the number of fatalities on the roads. 

Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc wants to see the plans introduced by 2030. 

Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South, Deirdre Clune outlines some of the measures being considered: 

Out words: Save lives 

European Commission Motor Insurance Directive Criticised by Fine Gael MEP

Intro script:  

A European Commission proposal requiring owners of e-bikes, golf buggies and Segways to have third party motor insurance has been criticised by Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes. 

The Motor Insurance Directive aims to harmonise insurance laws across the European Union in relation to vehicles and cars. 

The initiative has yet to be approved by the European Council and Parliament. 

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin Brian Hayes does not believe the Directive will be supported by MEPs: 
 

Out words: to take 

Raw audio: McGuinness on Ireland's new EP constituency boundaries

Intro:

On Monday the European Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee voted to fix the period for the next European Parliament elections – between 23 and 26 May 2019. Because of British MEPs leaving the parliament after Brexit, Ireland is expected to get two new MEPs - with 13 in the new term up from 11 today.

Mairead McGuinness, a Fine Gale MEP representing the Midlands North-West constituency who is a vice-president of the European Parliament, says that given the two new seats, there will have to be boundary changes and it is essential that the Irish government set these new boundaries as soon as possible.

Outro:

"...post 2019"

Raw Audio: Harkin on new organic farming regime

Intro:

The EU now has its first EU-wide regulations for organic farming products, and they are set to make it easier for Irish farmers to get into the organics business, says independent member of the European Parliament Marian Harkin. Imports, which account for 50% of the organic market in the EU, now must meet the same standards as organic products grown in the EU, putting them on a level playing field with imports.

Right now there are about 1,800 organic farmers in Ireland - about half the average level in the EU. But the new standards will make it wasier and more interesting for Irish farmers to get involved in this area, she says.

Outro:

"...it's a real opportunity"